People's Daily:

Mr. Ma Xiaoguang just introduced the white paper entitled The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era, and published in August, and said that the principles of peaceful reunification and one country, two systems will bring tangible benefits for Taiwan's economic and social development and Taiwan compatriots. I have two questions. Why did you publish the white paper at this time? What new expressions does the white paper include on China's policy and stance to achieve national reunification in the new era? Thank you.

Chen Yuanfeng:

I will answer your questions. Mr. Ma just introduced what benefits will be brought following the principles of peaceful reunification and one country, two systems. The white paper also gives a relatively thorough description of the content. After achieving peaceful reunification and one country, two systems, we will conduct in-depth communication and exchanges with all sectors of Taiwan society to explore the "two systems" solution to the Taiwan question.

On Aug. 10, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office jointly released a white paper titled The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era. On the same day, the spokesperson of the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee was authorized to remark on the white paper. Here, I would like to brief you on the relevant issues.  

First, the publication of the white paper is most relevant and of great significance. The Chinese government has published two white papers on Taiwan previously. One was The Taiwan Question and Reunification of China in August 1993, and the other was The One-China Principle and the Taiwan Issue in February 2000. These two white papers comprehensively and systematically elaborated the basic principles and policies regarding resolving the Taiwan question. Over the past two decades and more, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress, theories on national reunification and principles and policies concerning Taiwan have been continuously enriched and developed. General Secretary Xi Jinping has proposed a series of major concepts, policies and propositions on work related to Taiwan. The CPC's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era has been developed, providing the overarching action guideline in this regard. An unstoppable force now drives China's national rejuvenation, and we are better positioned, more confident and capable of accomplishing the great cause of national reunification. In recent years, however, Taiwan's DPP authorities have redoubled their efforts to divide the country, and some external forces have gone all out to exploit Taiwan to contain China and try to prevent the Chinese nation from achieving complete reunification and national rejuvenation. Facing the new situation, it is necessary to publish a new white paper on national reunification to further reiterate that Taiwan is part of China. The paper demonstrates the firm resolve of the CPC and the Chinese people and their strong commitment to national reunification. It elaborates on the position and policies of the CPC and the Chinese government in the new era to promote the country's reunification.

Second, the content of the white paper are comprehensive and systematic, with prominent highlights. Based on the overall goal of national rejuvenation and global changes on a scale unseen in a century, the white paper has presented a thorough account of Taiwan's history. It comprehensively summarized the CPC's struggle for complete national reunification as well as its major achievements and valuable experiences. It exposed and denounced the DPP authorities' intensified provocation designed to divide the country and the desperate acts and fallacies of the U.S. when it plays the Taiwan card. The white paper has systematically elaborated the major principles and policies followed by the CPC and the Chinese government in the new era to facilitate national reunification and unequivocally clarified the bright prospect of Taiwan after peaceful reunification in accordance with the principle one country, two systems. It demonstrates our full confidence in achieving complete national reunification, resolute resolve to oppose Taiwan independence separatist forces and external interference, and consistent aspiration to ensure the wellbeing of Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Third, the white paper is most relevant to fighting against any forces seeking Taiwan Independence and promoting national reunification. Amid the current complicated international landscape and grim situation across the Taiwan Strait, the white paper is conducive to exposing and denouncing the vicious provocation of any collusion between the Taiwan independence separatist forces and external forces to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as to obstruct and sabotage China's process toward national reunification. It is conducive to demonstrating the position and attitude of the CPC and the Chinese government to continue to strive for peaceful reunification with utmost sincerity and effort. The white paper also helps boost the spirit of the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups to press ahead with national reunification, strengthen the confidence and courage of anti-separatism and pro-reunification forces in Taiwan and those staying abroad, and pool strengths into a mighty force to support and promote the great cause.

Fourth, the white paper will help unite our compatriots in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and overseas to work together for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the great cause of peaceful national reunification. Peaceful cross-Strait reunification benefits not only the Chinese nation and Chinese people, but all other peoples and the international community as a whole. We hope that our compatriots in Taiwan will stand on the right side of history, fully consider the position and role of Taiwan in China's rejuvenation, and actively participate in the just cause of China's peaceful reunification. We hope that our compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and overseas will make new contributions to promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and the peaceful reunification of the country. We also hope that the international community will abide by the one-China principle, properly handle Taiwan-related questions, and understand and support the Chinese people's just cause of opposing separatist forces seeking Taiwan independence and striving for national reunification. Thank you.